Oregon OSHA

Chlorine

Overview

Chlorine, element No. 17 on the Periodic Table of Elements, is one of the most commonly manufactured chemicals in the United States. It is used as bleach in making paper and cloth, and is used to make pesticides, rubber, and solvents. It is also used in drinking water and swimming pools to kill harmful bacteria. Breathing chlorine gas is the most common type of exposure, which can cause severe irritation of the nose and throat, and life-threatening accumulation of fluid in the lungs.​